Science, technology awards recognize Air Force's sharpest minds

  • Published
  • By Julie Imada
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Research
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) --  More than 30 top scientists and research teams were honored at the Air Force Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Awards banquet on Sept. 23 here.

The ceremony was held at the U.S. Air Force Academy in conjunction with the first Air Force Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Conference.

Lt. Gen. Mark D. Shackelford welcomed the many honorees, senior Air Force and Academy leaders and national STEM professionals in attendance. Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler delivered the keynote address and helped present the awards. The following is a list of winners in their respective categories.

The Air Force Outstanding Scientist Awards are:
--In the Junior Military Category, Capt. Jeromie Shoulders of the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
--In the Mid-Career Military Category, Capt. Cole Gulyas of the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron from Tyndall AFB, Fla.
--In the Senior Military Category, Lt. Col. Mark Foringer of the Air Force Directorate of Analysis, Assessments and Lessons Learned at  the Pentagon.
--In the Junior Civilian Category, Deana Nickerson of the 59th TES at Nellis AFB, Nev.
--In the Mid-Career Civilian Category, Dr. Timothy Haugan of the Air Force Research Laboratory from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
--In the Senior Civilian Category, Bridget Brooks of the 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron from Eglin AFB, Fla. 
--In the Team Category, The Improved Flash-Bang Grenade Team of the 711th Human Performance Wing from Brooks City-Base, Texas.
--In the Research Management Category, Winona R. Constable of the 711th HPW.
--The John L. McLucas Basic Research Award goes to Dr. Paul N. Barnes of the AFRL.
--The John L. McLucas Basic Research Award honorable mentions go to retired Lt. Col. Leemon Baird of the  U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Computer Science, Dr. Burhan Bayraktaroglu of AFRL, Dr. David Doman of AFRL and Dr. John Matyjas of AFRL at the Rome Laboratory, N.Y. 
--The Cadet Research Awards goes to the Geolocation Research Team/Air Force ROTC at Michigan Tech, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin at Madison and the Academy SII ACE Cybersecurity Bootcamp at the Academy Department of Computer Science and to 2nd Lt. Ryan Mudry of the 711th HPW.

The Air Force Technology Awards are:
--The Air Force Research and Development Award to 1st Lt. Sean R. Majo of AFRL.
--The Exploratory or Advanced Technology Development Team to AngelFire Science and Technology Team.
--The Exploratory or Advanced Technology Development Individual to Dr. Boris Tomasic - AFRL at Hanscom AFB, Mass.
--The Manufacturing Technology Award to Christopher P. Knecht of the 547th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron at Tinker AFB, Okla.

The Air Force Outstanding Engineer Awards are:
--In the Junior Military Category, 1st Lt. Nicholas J. Battle of the 560th Aircraft Sustainment Group from Robins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
--In the Mid-Career Military Category, Capt. Jason V. Paul of the Air Force Institute of Technology from Wright-Patterson AFB.
--In the Senior Military Category, Lt. Col. Stephen R. Pratt of the 36th EWS.
--In the Junior Civilian Category, Dylan E. Duplechain of the 36th EWS.
--In the Mid-Career Civilian Category, Dr. Yong C. Kim of the Air Force Institute of Technology.
--In the Senior Civilian Category, John C. Brausch of the AFRL at Wright-Patterson AFB.
--In the Team Category, Rapid Reaction Squadron Engineering Team at Air Force Space Command.
--The Science and Engineering Educator Award to Lt. Col. Adam MacDonald of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif.
--The AFIT Systems Engineering Award to Cooperative Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Control System Architecture Team.
--The Air Force Science and Engineering Award Engineering Achievement to Maj. Jay Kucko of the Air Force Technical Applications Center, Operating Location GT at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo.

The Air Force STEM Awards are:
--The Dr. Paul G. Kaminski Most Promising Systems Engineer of the Year Award to Angela Nadem-Mollaei of the Cryptologic Systems Group at Lackland AFB, Texas.
--The Gen. Lester L. Lyles Developmental Planning Engineer of the Year Award to Mr. David L. Owen of the Air Force Materiel Command Alternate Space Control Center at Wright-Patterson AFB.